Is WordPress Free? WordPress.org vs WordPress.com Explained

This is one of the most confusing questions in website building, because two different things share the same name. Once you see the difference between the software and the hosted service, the answer becomes simple.

Two kinds of free WordPress

• WordPress.org: the free, open source software. You install it on your own hosting and control everything.
• WordPress.com: a hosted service that runs WordPress for you, with a free plan and upgraded plans.

WordPress.org vs WordPress.com at a glance

	WordPress.org software	WordPress.com free plan
Is it free?	Yes, open source under the GPL	Yes, a free plan
Who hosts it	You, on your own hosting	WordPress.com
Ads shown to visitors	Only if you add them	WordPress.com ads
Install your own plugins	Yes	On higher plans
Control over code and design	Full	Limited

Why WordPress.org is free

WordPress.org says WordPress started in 2003 when Mike Little and Matt Mullenweg created a fork of b2/cafelog, and it's open source software built by a community of contributors. It's licensed under the General Public License, version 2 or later, which WordPress describes as giving four core freedoms:

1. The freedom to run the program for any purpose.
2. The freedom to study how it works and change it to do what you wish.
3. The freedom to redistribute it.
4. The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others.

So the software itself is free in both senses: you don't need permission to use it, and you can change it however you like.

The WordPress catch most people miss

Here's where people get tripped up. Free software isn't the same as a free website. To run WordPress.org, you need somewhere to host it and, usually, a domain name. The software doesn't come with either. That's why so many people start with WordPress.com, which handles the hosting for you.

But the WordPress.com free plan has its own catch. WordPress.com says free sites display WordPress.com ads to visitors. Installing your own plugins also sits on the higher plans, and plugins are a big part of why people choose WordPress in the first place.

So the real choice isn't free versus not free. It's whether you want to manage your own hosting with full control, or let WordPress.com host it with fewer options on the free plan.

How to choose the right free WordPress for you

1. Decide if you need plugins, custom code or full control over your design.
2. If you do, pick WordPress.org software and choose a host to install it on.
3. If you just want to start writing quickly, sign up for the WordPress.com free plan.
4. Check whether ads on your site matter for your brand before you launch on the free plan.
5. Plan your domain name early, so you don't have to change your address later.

Which free WordPress suits your business

If you're a blogger testing an idea, the WordPress.com free plan gets you writing today with nothing to install. If you're building a business site you'll rely on for years, the WordPress.org software gives you the control that matters later: your own plugins, your own design and the freedom to move hosts whenever you like.

Whichever you choose, keep a copy of your content. WordPress has export tools, and having your posts and pages saved somewhere else makes switching between the two far less painful if your plans change.

Getting your WordPress site running

If you go the WordPress.org route, my roundup of the best WordPress hosting will help you pick a host, and how to install a WordPress plugin shows you how to add the features you need.

What the GPL means for you in practice

The licence is why there's such a huge world of WordPress themes and plugins. Because anyone can study and change the code, developers can build on it freely. For you as a business owner, it means no single company can take your WordPress software away or stop you moving your site to a different host.

It also means you're responsible for the upkeep on a self-hosted site. Keep WordPress, your theme and your plugins updated, take regular backups and remove plugins you don't use. Most hosts help with some of this, so ask what's included when you choose one.

Starting on WordPress.com and moving later

Plenty of people start on the WordPress.com free plan and move to self-hosted WordPress once the site grows. That's a sensible path, as long as you plan your domain early. If your address sits on WordPress.com rather than your own domain, everyone who has linked to you will be pointing at the old address, so the earlier you settle on your own domain, the easier any move becomes.

Whichever route you pick, write your content in a way that isn't tied to the platform. Clear headings, plain paragraphs and images with sensible file names move cleanly between WordPress setups, while heavy use of one theme's special blocks can make a later move more work than it needs to be.

My verdict: WordPress the software is free and always will be under its licence. For a business site you're serious about, the free software on your own hosting gives you the most control. For a quick personal blog, the WordPress.com free plan is fine, as long as you're happy with the ads.

Frequently asked questions

Is WordPress free?

Yes. The WordPress software from WordPress.org is open source and licensed under the GPLv2 or later.

What's the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?

WordPress.org is the free open source software you host yourself. WordPress.com is a hosted service with its own free plan and upgraded plans.

Does a free WordPress.com site show ads?

Yes. WordPress.com says free sites display WordPress.com ads to visitors.

Can I install plugins on WordPress.com for free?

Installing plugins is listed on WordPress.com's higher plans rather than the free plan.

What licence is WordPress released under?

WordPress is licensed under the General Public License, version 2 or later, which gives you freedom to run, study, change and redistribute it.